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5 Talent Trends to be aware of in 2018

Talent Trends:

1. Applicant Assessments

What is it?

Talent trends now include giving potential candidates tests before hiring. These assessments were common in more technical jobs, but recently have made their way into the hiring of non-technical roles. Specifically they have been gaining popularity as a talent trend in the hiring of retail employees.

How can you use it?

The best way to use applicant assessments is sparingly, do not abuse talent trends - especially this one. As an employer you do not want to give a qualified candidate a reason to leave the application process prematurely. A long application followed by a lengthy assessment may turn away qualified candidates if done at the wrong time.

Talent Trends to Watch in 2018

If you want to use applicant assessments, focus on timing and need. Why do you want to apply the test? Are you giving the exam after you have already qualified a candidate? Are you trying to get a good culture fit? Ask questions that have direct relevance to what you want to know, keeping it to as few questions as possible.

2. Wellness

What is it?

"Wellness" is classified as actions that promote health, both mental and physical. It can refer to benefits that are taken advantage of outside the office like a healthcare benefits package or offerings and events that take place within the office to promote a healthy lifestyle.

HR focuses on wellness in the workplace because of the time employees spend in the office. Often times this clocks in at over 90,000 hours in an employees lifespan.

How can you use it?

HR and talent professionals may not have a direct impact on the selection of health benefits. If you do then you can directly impact the offering from the company to every employee. If you do not contribute to the decision of health benefits selection you can focus on other wellness events and offerings. Find a local run or charity walk and send an all-company sign up, promoting people to do something good for themselves and the community. You may also be able to set up an in-office flu shot clinic, or invite a health oriented speaker to come into the office and speak during the lunch hour.

3. Out-of-Office Employees

What is it?

As technology has and will continue to improve working from a remote location is common place for many companies. No longer is “work from home” an excuse to stay at home and not use paid time off.

How can you use it?

If you already have a work from home policy, investigate how you can make it easier for the employees both in and out of the office. Consider tools that make communication and planning easier like project management software or messaging solutions like slack. Talent trends will continue to evolve and offer more and more opportunities for remote work and lifestyles.

If you are looking to implement a more flexible work from home policy, preparation is key to success. Having a solid plan in place before roll out will aid in mitigating potential issues once the program is live. Consider setting up a dry run or test where a handful of employees can work within the program before releasing it to the whole office.

4. Diversifying Perks

What is it?

The really cool perks that used to be exclusive to startups are becoming industry norms. Open office designs once regarded as strange and unique are now being adopted across industries. Talent trends are no longer just financial packages and PTO.

How can you use it?

When thinking about updating benefits packages. Think less about the things and think more about what they represent. Toy guns and ping-pong are things, but what they represent is an office culture that wants employees to take breaks and make friends between colleagues. Stick to the spirit more than the letter.

5. Internet of Things Comes to the Office

What is it?

The internet of things (IoT) refers to everyday items that are now connected to the internet and help you with tasks. This can range from your car sending you an email when your oil needs changed to your fridge notifying you that you have run out of milk and adding it to your digital grocery list on your phone.

In the office, IoT is new but you should expect to start to see more developments in 2018.

How can you use it?

Sit back and watch for new developments to this talent trend. IoT will offer office perks to employees, you just need to be able to identify them. Currently we see Amazon Echo and Google Home being integrated into office spaces allowing employees to control everything from the brightness of the lights to the type of music being played through speakers placed around their workspace.